Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: The Platinum Queen, Love Reigns top 26 pre-entries
The only thing certain about the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, which looks like a mad 5 1/2-furlong scramble with questions to answer for several youngsters, is that it will have a full starting gate to add to the chaos.
The Juvenile Turf Sprint has been a popular addition to the Breeders’ Cup program since it was first run in 2018. The race has had a full field, with also-eligibles on the program, for each of its first four runnings.
That appears to be the case again this year. The Nov. 4 race drew a total of 26 pre-entries, led by The Platinum Queen, the 7-2 choice on David Aragona’s early line for Daily Racing Form. The Platinum Queen is a filly who defeated her elders in Group 1 company last out but is undertaking a long trip when attempting to become the first European to win this race.
Love Reigns, from Wesley Ward’s formidable barn, is the second choice at 9-2 but is coming off a long layoff.
The Juvenile Turf Sprint is one of two Breeders’ Cup races limited to 12 starters – instead of the standard 14 – along with the Dirt Mile. Because of that limit, it can list as many as six also-eligibles on the program when final entries are taken Oct. 31.
With more than half of the pre-entrants currently on the outside looking in, the final moves of three horses in the top 12 for the field who are cross-entered in other spots will be watched closely. Nagirroc appears the most likely of those three to defect from this group. The colt, winner of the Grade 3 Futurity at Aqueduct, has first preference in the Juvenile Turf and can take his choice of spots as he is in the main body of the field for both races. His connections may prefer to stretch out rather than cut back.
Tyler’s Tribe, an Iowa-bred who is unbeaten in dirt sprints, has second preference in the Juvenile, and, as that race did not oversubscribe, he also controls his own destiny. However, his connections have indicated they are more likely to remain in a sprint race and change surfaces, rather than remain in a dirt race but stretch out.
American Apple, upset winner of the Grade 3 Matron Stakes at Aqueduct, has second preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but would need two defections to make that field, leaving her more likely to start in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
:: Breeders' Cup Pre-Entry PPs Now Available - Exclusively with a BC Package
If all horses currently in the top 12 for the Juvenile Turf Sprint remain in the mix, the six also-eligibles, in order of preference by the Breeders’ Cup’s panel of racing directors and secretaries, would be Manhattan Jungle, Sharp Aza Tack, Oxymore, Bushido, Gaslight Dancer, and Vacation Dance.
Oxymore holds a spot in the main body of the field for the Juvenile Turf. His defection to that race, in which he has first preference, would put Mo Stash next on the also-eligible list awaiting entry time next Monday and race day next Friday.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.